Itineraries

Sri Lanka is one of the biggest little countries in the world. The island’s modest size means that it’s possible to get a good taste of what’s on offer in just a couple of weeks, although, equally, attractions are crammed together so densely that you could easily spend a year in the place and still not see everything.

Two weeks suffices to see Sri Lanka’s headline attractions, while an extra week would allow you to add on the places listed in the itineraries below.

1 Kandy

Start in Kandy, cultural capital of Sri Lanka and a marvellous showcase of Sinhalese religious art, architecture and dance.

2 Dambulla

Drive north to the cave temples at Dambulla, crammed with Buddhist statues and decorated with Sri Lanka’s finest murals.

3 Sigiriya

The nearby rock citadel at Sigiriya is perhaps Sri Lanka’s single most dramatic attraction: the remains of a fifth-century palace perched on the summit of the vertiginous Lion Rock.

4 Polonnaruwa

Another short drive leads to the marvellous ruined city of Polonnaruwa, home to some of medieval Sri Lanka’s finest art and architecture, including the giant Buddha statues of the Gal Vihara.

5 Horton Plains National Park

Return to Kandy and then continue to Nuwara Eliya for a trip to Horton Plains National Park, a marvellously rugged stretch of unspoilt hill country culminating in the spectacular view at World’s End.

6 Ella

Continue to lively little Ella village, set in a dramatic location amid tea plantations on the edge of the hill country.

7 Yala National Park

Drive south to Yala National Park, home to one of the world’s densest populations of leopards, and much more besides.

8 Mirissa

Spend some time on the beach and go on a whale-watching trip at the village of Mirissa.

9 Galle

Continue around the coast to the city of Galle and its time-warped old Dutch Fort – colonial Sri Lanka at its most perfectly preserved.

10 Colombo

Finish with a day or two in the nation’s energetic capital.

The following itinerary, which picks up on some of the best natural attractions not covered in the Grand Tour, could be done in a week, at a push, allowing plenty of time to combine with other attractions en route during a fortnight’s visit to the island.

1 The Knuckles Range

From Kandy you can hike into the rugged Knuckles Range, one of the island’s most beautiful and biodiverse areas.

2 Nuwara Eliya

Head south to this venerable old colonial town in the heart of the hill country, with spectacular walks in the surrounding countryside.

3 Horton Plains National Park

Sri Lanka’s most scenically stunning national park: a misty mix of moorland and cloudforest, home to rare indigenous flora and fauna.

4 Haputale

Dramatically perched on the edge of the southern hill country and with fine hiking through the surrounding tea plantations, particularly the walk down from nearby Lipton’s Seat.

5 Bundala National Park

One of Sri Lanka’s premier birdwatching destinations, spread out around a stunning string of coastal lagoons.